Cottage Vendors

Hometown Holidays

Friday, December 5, 2025

City Hall

Live entertainment

Vendor shopping

Fireworks

Photo ops 

Food trucks/vendors

And SO much more.

Submitting a cottage food vendor application signifies you have read and will comply with all policies, guidelines, rules, terms, and conditions set forth in this application and prior to, during and after the event by event organizers. You understand that noncompliance with any event rules, local, state, or federal laws may result in your removal from the event. 

 
You may apply as a cottage food vendor if you fit the following definition and meet all of the requirements outlined below and in the included links and attachments. 

Definition: Cottage food vendors sell food that does not require refrigeration to prevent spoilage.  Foods that are not cottage food are those that would make someone sick if left out at room temperature, such as Tres Leches, cheesecake, fruit juices, open beverages, jerky, tamales, or items with cut fruit. 

Cottage food vendors do not need health permits to sell their products as long as all local and state cottage food laws are followed.

Key Requirements are:

• All items must be prepared in your home kitchen
• NO temperature-sensitive products that would require a cooler/refrigerator at your booth.   Unless it is chocolate-covered whole fruits that may melt if not stored in a cooler.  
• Products must be labeled according to Cottage Food Law guidelines: company name, home kitchen address, product name, detailed ingredients, and allergens. (see attachment below).
• If samples are provided, they must be prepackaged and labeled following the guidelines below.

Follow these links for all Cottage Food Law guidelines:

• https://texascottagefoodlaw.com/sb-572-summary/
• https://texascottagefoodlaw.com/allowed-foods/

All cottage vendors must adhere to the event rules listed.  Our health inspectors will be on-site inspecting each booth before we open to check proper labeling and that all food items are cottage.

If any vendor is not in compliance with all local and state cottage vendor laws, you will be asked to leave the event. 

For any questions about cottage vendors and types of allowed food, or if you have open food sampling and need a temporary health permit reach out to:

Health Inspector, Hannah Hess.  She can be reached at hannah.hess@mansfieldtexas.gov.

(Refer to the attachment below for Mansfield's specific Cottage Vendor guidelines.)

Maximum of three main items per vendor.
No more than two vendors will be allowed to sell the same main food items. 
Vendors will supply tables, tents, chairs, display units, etc.
Vendors are responsible for leaving the area clean and all trash picked up.

This is an electronic agreement and by selecting the cottage food tent option, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

It is the responsibility of the person signing the vendor agreement to be onsite and to comply with and enforce all policies, rules and regulations pertaining to the vendor agreement.  Vendors shall comply with all the laws - federal, state, and local - including all ordinances of the City of Mansfield, and all the rules, regulations, of the Health Department/Regulatory Compliance,  Police, and Fire Departments. Vendor agrees to leave the premises in as good or better condition than that which existed prior to usage.   It is understood the the City of Mansfield merely arranged for the sale of merchandise, the undersigned vendor does hereby release the City of Mansfield from any claim, action, demand, or liability arising out of any conduct of any nature of the City of Mansfield or it's employees.  The undersigned vendor understands that refunds will not be made due to inclement weather or natural disaster, nor will refunds be granted.  All requests for refunds must be made in writing and the refund could take a minimum of 30 business days.  The Music Alley committee reserves the right to decline any application/vendor deemed unsuitable for the event.